A Room With a View
By Janine S. Pouliot

Puerto Vallarta Hotels Have It All

Intimate charming inns with flagstone courtyards and babbling fountains or extravagant high-rise hotels with full service spas and enormous pools — the choice of accommodations in Puerto Vallarta is diverse. So whether guests prefer a bed and breakfast, an all-inclusive resort, a sophisticated luxury facility or an extraordinary value, there's a hotel to meet every preference.

The sharp crescent of the Bay of Banderas makes a perfect backdrop for the myriad hotels that line its golden shores. High-end facilities create their own "oceans" with mammoth swimming pools that seem to go on forever. With every amenity available poolside, there's no reason to leave these man-made wonderlands. Flowing waterfalls, palms standing tall directly in the middle of the water, thickly padded lounge chairs, tropical drinks at the ready, swim-up bars and a menu of delicious lunches brought right to your seat give indulgence a whole new meaning.

The beaches are remarkable, as well. Miles of sand are dotted with palapa umbrellas offering a cooling spot for leisurely afternoons enjoying the spectacular vista. But when it's activity guests crave, hotels offer the gamut including Jet Skis, sailing, water skiing, banana boats, parasailing, snorkeling, horseback riding, volleyball and more.

As the sun sets, the beach often becomes the setting for a themed night, and the smell of grilled seafood along with the flicker of tiki torches signal that one good-time party is about to begin. What's more, families enjoy Kids' Clubs that keep little ones busy with a vacation tailored just for them, giving mom and dad a bit of well-earned relaxation.

For even more relaxation, guests head to hotel spas, which are an oasis of extravagance. Full service menus offer a variety of massages, body scrubs, re-hydration treatments, wraps, facials, manicures and more. A trip to the air-conditioned gym means guests needn't forgo their healthy lifestyle while on vacation. Often there's a selection of classes including yoga, Pilates, aerobics and other feel-good instruction. But just for fun, guests might join the salsa dance lesson to fine-tune their fancy footwork for the nightlife.

Nightlife at Puerto Vallarta's many hotels begins with a diverse selection of dining options. There's a restaurant for every taste, including everything from expertly prepared regional Mexican specialties to ultrasophisticated gourmet dishes. Served outdoors on patios with candles flickering in the gentle breeze and the placid lap of waves in the background, it's a romantic setting for a memorable meal. Later, bars serve up fantastic tropical concoctions and guests hit the hotel discos to boogie the night away.

Destination weddings preformed at the hotels are handled with delicate finesse. Wedding coordinators know how to make things special with thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, a champagne toast, the perfect spot for unforgettable photos, fireworks, a mariachi band and a romantically decorated room.

The grounds of every Puerto Vallarta hotel is an attraction in its own right. Strolling the property, guests come upon winding paths that lead through lushly verdant gardens overflowing with bougainvilleas and palm trees, gazebos overlooking stunning vantage points of the cove, benches for reading or chatting, hammocks for lazing and tennis courts for an impromptu game.

There are guestrooms for every personality and pocketbook. Glitzy accommodations offer huge bedrooms with luxurious linens and terraces providing sweeping panoramas of the beautiful bay, particularly at night when the setting sun turns the sky into streaks of red and orange. For those who lean toward a quaint and friendly style, inns tucked among the cobblestone streets of Viejo Vallarta exude Old World Mexican ambience and charm. Close to the excitement of downtown, guests can walk to restaurants, nightclubs and shopping.

Finding the right hotel in Puerto Vallarta is as easy as it is fun.

Use our Where To Stay guide to Puerto Vallarta's hotel zones and neighborhoods — click here.

Always Getting Better
By Josef Kandoll W

Already a hotel professional when he first arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Plaza Pelícanos General Manager Robert Rojas said, "I was captivated by the feel of the small Mexican town, as well as the friendliness of the people. It's something that you don't find in the other coastal destinations." Training in hotel science in his native Venezuela, Robert worked in food and beverage in Caracas as well as Ohio and South Carolina in the United States. He then returned to Isla Margarita off the coast of Venezuela, transferring for periods to Acapulco, Cuba and the Dominican Republic before landing in Puerto Vallarta.

"Vallarta," he says, "offers an example of a complete destination with a colorful town that has regular festivals and cultural events, activities for all ages, incredible scenery with the blue sky, green mountains and deep blue sea, and best of all, friendly people. You can't beat that anywhere."

This young manager explains, "I am active locally on the sub-committee of marketing for Puerto Vallarta as a destination. Our challenge is to continue to maintain the small-town feel while improving the quality and level of service that visitors expect."

"Here at Plaza Pelícanos we upgraded the facilities and now operate two concepts, the 'grande' and the 'club' and offer total assistance in banquets and weddings. We simultaneously created important family programs to include a focus on children as well as a "baby care" facility. We also pledge to continue to train our personnel in their career development by offering regular sessions and workshops." www.plazapelicanos.com.mx